Method and apparatus for forming sprays



Oct. 28, 1941. G. G. BUDWIG METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SPRAYS Filed May 25, 1940 .1 r Y \.\\\\`\\\\P\\v.,oa ,VZV f f l f f f f f f f f f f f f f f), 7

iw/ mmwlwwm f l l f f l f l l l f f l l f l f f Patented Oct. 28, 1941 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SPRAYS Gilbert G. Budwig, Glendale, Calif., assignor to Clayton Manufacturing Company, Alhambra,

Calif.

Application May 2,5, 1940, Serial No. 337,273

14 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid spray apparatus of the general character set forth in my prior Patents Nos. 2,030,853 and 2,061,932, and more particularly to improvements in such apparatus adapting the same for use in forming a cleaning spray and other kinds of sprays in which the presence of air'is desired.

It is commonly known that better cleaning can be effected by water containing soap or some other detergent material than by plain water. This may be explained by the fact that the soap or so-called wetting agen reduces the surface tension of the dirt film so that the water can more readily vloosen and completely flush off the dirt. The ability toV break down the dirt film is sometimes referred toas the cutting effect of the agent.

Previous attempts have been made to build machines that would apply water and a soap solution to a surface to be cleaned, but most of these machines havey been very complicated, requiring auxiliary apparatus such as large storage tanks for 'city water, or air under for a cleaning solution. Such apparatus has proved to be quite expensive and not entirely satisfactory, notwithstanding. In contrast, thepresent invention is compact, requires no auxiliary apparatus, is quite simple in construction, easy to use, comparatively inexpensive and has proved to be very efficient and effective in actual use.

I have found that in order to get the maximum cleaning efliciency from the so-called wetting agents, mild soaps and other cleaning agents, a

suds should be formed which, in addition to being L,

capable of overcoming the surface tension of the dirt lm, tends to keep the dirt particles in suspension until rinsed off the surface being cleaned. I have further found that in order to form a suitable cleaning spray sufficient air must be interrnixed with the cleaning agent and Water so that the cleaning agent will be caused to foam on the surface to which it is applied.

My aerated spray is particularly well adapted for use in cleaning painted surfaces, for example, the painted surface of an automobile; but, obviously, the spray is'not limited in its use to cleaning nor to the cleaning of the surface of any given object.

In general, my invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a spray of the foregoing character. The apparatus comprises a spray gun having a jar or receptacle for a cleaning agent or other material, a mixing head, a handle member, and means for controlling the pressure, and a tankl flow of a jet of liquid at high velocity to the mixingv head.

. More specifically, the mixing head comprises a an aspirating tube with the interior of the re-` ceptacle containing a supply of the agent to be mixed with theair and jet of propelling liquid.

For cleaning purposes, I preferably employ a jet of water and project the same at high velocity from a nozzle against the mixing surface so that it impinges upon an area ahead of the suction slot and beveled distributing surface. The mixing surface deiiects the jet over the suction aperture and the beveled distributing surface and causes the .same-,to spread out into the general shape of a fan. The deflected jet, travelling at high velocity, produces a suction effect as it passes over the slot and causes the cleaning material to be sucked upwardly through the aspirating tube and to become well mixed with the jet of water. The distributing surface is beveled on an angle of approximately 10 which has been found to produce' a further and intimate mixing of the liquids before they leave. the mixing head. Air is introduced and mixed into the spray by directing the propelling jet of liquidinto a Venturi-shaped passageway formed in the aforementioned cap member overlying the suction aperture and beveled distributing surface. The design of the Venturi passage is such that'the propelling jet induces the entrance of air into the Venturi throat so that the ultimate spray'discharged from the'mixing head contains an intimate mixture of water, cleaning agent, and air.`

The cap member is an important part of the apparatus in that it is 'primarily responsible for the somewhat forced inclusion of air in the spray. .The exact manner of formation of the aerated spray is not entirely understood, but at present I am of the opinion that the air is probably entrained in the jet after it is deflected by the mixing surface, and that the cleaning agent is substantially simultaneously inducted with the air. The entrainrnent of the air, of course, takes place at such velocity as not to affect the maintenance of a low pressure area at the suction aperture, nor to affect the intimate mixing of the Water, air, and cleaning agent prior to discharge from the mixing head.

One of the principal objects of my inventiony is to provide an eicient and relatively simple and inexpensive spray apparatus.

Another object of my invention is to provide a spray apparatus particularly useful for cleaning purposes.

An important object of my invention is to provide a method of forming a spray containing air and a mixture of different liquids.

Another object of my invention is to provide an l apparatus and method whereby diierentliquids may be intimately mixed and, in accordance with l which, air is introduced into the mixture.

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus and method whereby a spray may be formed containing air and a mixture of denite proportions of different liquids.

Still another object of my invention is to proi yFigure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a spray apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View, showing 1 the details of the mixing head;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 showing certain details of the trigger mechanism for controlling the operation of the spray apparatus; Y

Y Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 illustrating the cross-'sectional shape of the handle or grip member of the spray apparatus;

ling the imet end of the venturi the cap member;

I0 is adapted torest.

Figure 5 is a detail view particularly illustratpassage formed Figure 6 isa view somewhat similar to Figure 5 lbut showing the discharge end of the Venturi. passage; 1 Y l Figure '7 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 1 1 of Figure 5y illustrating the contour of thosides of the Venturi passage;

Figure 8 is a sectional plan view takenon line 8-8 of Figure 1 particularly illustrating the suction aperture or slot in the plug member through which material contained in the jar may be aspirated; and

` Figure 9 is a sectional View taken on the line 99 of Figure 1 showing a series of pads provided for supporting a screen at'the lower end of the aspirating tube. One form of spray apparatus embracing my invention comprises a body portion I,' preferably a single die casting, formed so. as tov provide a hollow handle 2 generally ovalv in cross-section as shown yinFigure's 1 and 4. The lower end of the handle 2 is provided with threads 3 adapted .to receive a conventional coupling 4 secured to one end of a garden hose 5. A conventional hose washer 6 is inserted in the handle adjacent the coupling 4 to prevent leakage at this point. A 'screen 1 may be positioned inwardly of the washer 6 to preclude the entrance of foreign matter into the handle 2.

The body 'I further comprises a valve housing portion Blangularly connected with the handle 2 by a neck II. The housing 8 is hollow as illustrated in Figure 1 and contains a flange 9 against which one side of a rubber valve washer The flange Ssurrounds an opening 9a and the washer I 0 is provided with an aligned central opening Illa.

The end of the valve housing 8 nearest to the handle 2 is closed by an externally threaded plug I5. A slidable valve stem I 6 extends through the plug and terminates at one end in an enlarged' convex head I 1 adapted to seal against a concave seat I8 formed in one side of the rubber packing IIJ. Leakage between the valve housing 8, and the plug I5 and the valve stem I1, respectively, is prevented by a body of suitable packing material I9. The packing I9 surrounds the valve stem I6 and is compressed between a metallic washer 20 which seats upon a shoulder 2I in the housing 8, and the plug I5. The head I1 of the Valve stem is normally maintained in sealing engagement with the valve washer I0 by a spring 2'2 interposed between the metallic washer 20 and said head. -The opposite end of the valve stem I6 projects outwardly beyond the plug I5 and has a circular head member 23l mounted thereon in axially spaced relation to the adjacent end o'f the plug I5.

The valve housing 8 has an arm 25 formed integral therewith, and this arm is adapted to pro-y vide a mounting for a pivotal support for a trigger member 21. A pin 28 is fixed to the upper end of the trigger 21 and passes through an aperture 29 in the arm 25 as is best shown in Figure 3.

The pin 28 is maintained in operative assembled relation with the arm 25 by a split ring 30 seated in a groove in saidxpin.

The trigger 21 is operatively connected with the valve stem I6 by a projection 32 which extends from said trigger into the space between the nut- I5 and the circular stem head 23.

The neck II is provided with la passageway 34 for establishing communication between the hollow handle 2' and the hollow portion of the valve housing 8. The handle 2 is provided with a projection 35 adapted to serve as a stop for the trigger 21. l

The end of the valve housing 8 opposite the plug I5 is adapted to threadedly receive a nozzle element 31. 'Ihis element has a flange 38, and a gasket 39 is adapted to be compressed by said flange into leakproof engagement with the adjacent end of said valve housing. The .nozzle element 31 is also provided with an orifice 40 arranged to angularly vdirect a spray against a flat mixing surface 55, which will be more fully described later.

The body portion I still further comprises a cover member 42 which is connected to the valve housing 8 by a leg 43. The cover 42 is internally threaded so that it may be screwed upon the upper end of a conventional pint-size receptacle or jar. A conventional jar vrubber 45 may be interposed between the beaded flange 46 of the cover and a circumferential rib 41 on said provide a seal between vsaid cover and jar.

The cover 42 is provided with a central annular jar to boss 48 adapted to receive a mixing head commixing surface which functions in a manner' which will be more fully pointedout hereinafter.

The mixing surface 55 is interrupted by. a suction aperture 56 and 'a generallyfan-shaped distrib# uting surfacef51 cut awayA vor beveled on an.

angle ofapproximately' lldegrees (see FiguresZ and 8). The juncture of the suction aperture 56 and the beveled. cut awayrportion is .rounded as` indicated at 59. The peripheral edgeoi theflat mixing surface 55 is undercut as indicated at 60 to provide Iasharp ledge 6l adapted to reduce drip.

above the suction aperture 56.1 The cap '62 is further provided with a narrow, vnar-ed outlet portion'65 shaped so 'thatit is widest at the edge of said cap oppositethe inlet opening. lThe outlet portion 65 merges into fsaid throat and' cooperates iwith said inlet opening to provide a'Venturi-shaped passageway 66y overlyingfthe mixing surface of the plug 49, l

' The cap 62 is secured to the plug -49 by a pair of machine screws 61. The upper face of the plug 49, adjacent the sharp edge 6|, is provided with an annular groove 68 adapted to cooperate with the lower surface of the copper cap and to form a seal therewith'when the machine screws 61 are -tightened, whereby to preclude any side leakage between the cap 62 and the lmixing sur-v face 55. A

The lower end of the aspirating tube I carries a circular member 10 providedwith an internally undercut flange 1li. ,'A relatively large screen 12 is received in the circular member `10 and retained in place by a split ring 1,3 cooperating with the iiange1l.- 'A plurality of pads 14 depend from the inner surface of the member 10 and serve as spaced supports for thescreen 12. The jar or receptacle 44 is adapted to receive a quantity of liquid soap or other material "16, the level of which is normally kept well above that of rthe member 1l) at the lower end ofthe aspirating tube 5|. The cover member 42 is provided with a vent 18 for admitting atmospheric pressure into the jar 44 above the llevel of the liquid 15,. Y Y

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that when the trigger 214 lis moved ftoward the stop 35,'the projection 32 carried by rsaid trigger will engage-'the head 23 of the valve stem I6 and cause the end l1 of said valve stem to be v moved away from its seat I5thus permitting water or other liquid under pressure to owfrom the hose 5 yinto the handle 2, through passageway 34 in the neck I I, through the openings Illar and 9a in the seat I0 and the vflange S, respectively, and out through the orifice l As is best shown in Figure 1,'the nozzle A31A is positioned at an angle relative to the mixingsurface so that the jet of water issuing yfrom the,

orifice 40 impinges againsty said mixing surface on an area ahead of the suction .aperture';5 The mixing surface 55 deiiects `thejetaf'gross the suction aperture 56k and over the beveled dis,- tributing surface 5 1 causing `the, spray 'to assume a flat, fanshape as diagrammatically illus'- trated. in Figure 8. deflected jet in passing overthe slot 56 causes aspiration of the liquid 16 from the jar 44 into said jet.

A suction aperture or rslot of the type shown is highly effective in that the liquid to be as- The .suction created by Athe j mixes with 'thewater along lthe entire'extent of the slot,",thus producing a more thorough and complete `mixing of thel liquids. Furthermore, by rounding the. juncture of the beveled distributing4 surface51 and the wall of the slot56, as indicated `at'59, lan'd'then merging the surf-acef51 with the plain" mixing surface 55 of the suction plug, -a stillfurther and :more intimate mix produced.

As'has "been previously stated, a jet issuing from the orifice 40 induces air to enter "thef Venturi passage in the cap 62 and to be mixedA and entrained in the spray. The size of the orifice, the throat of the Venturi passage, kand` the size of the metering hole in the element 52,:Y

respectively, are so` proportioned as to preclude any choking of the spray and, therefore,v a

sufficient suction effect is maintained at all timesl to withdraw the proper proportion of liquidfro'm the jar and to formv an aerated spray of th'e desired composition.

It will be `apparent that satisfactory sprays may be produced within reasonable limits lby' the substitution of a nozzle having an orifice vofa different size from the orifice 40 and, further;

that metering elements Vsimilar to'v the element 52 but with a metering -hole ofa size different from the hole 53 may be substituted in the`up`i per end of the aspirating tube 5l to vary the` rate of-withdrawal of liquid from 'the receptacleE 44, Thus, it will be obvious that the volume of water in the spray is determined by the 'size off' the nozzle orifice 40 while-the volume of aspirated liquid iscontrolled by thesize ofthe metering hole 53. The'Venturi passage 65 in the cap 62 is designed` to afford a reasonable variation in these proportions but, of course, a cap with any other suitable Venturi passage `may be used if" necesary to produce the character of spray 'de sired. :In any event, 'it is limportant that the pas-l sage be such as toy cause the mixing of substantial air into the spray.

While 'the drawing herein lillustrates one'ein-- bodiment of the invention, i-t will be understood tha-t various changes and modifications A.maybe made therein without departing fromvthelspirit of thel present invention and the' scope 'of-the" annexed claims. y

I claim: l, A spray device for provided with a suction aperture and aj Venturi passageway overlying said suction aperture; andv a nozzle for directing a jet v'of liquid into said Venturi passageway and upon said deflecting surface.

2. A Vspray device for prising ,mixing means including a suctionaperture communicating with asource cf cleaning agent and a passageway overlying saidl suction a nozzle for angularly directing aperture; and a jet of waterv downwardly into said passageway towardr said suction aperture so that it impingesf adjacent said suctionaperture, n

3. A device 'for forming and applying liquids to a surface in the form of a liquid spray consaid cap having a passageway extending therepirated is subjected to la comparativelyincreased su'ctiondue lto `the lateral' extent of the slot,` andthe-liquid'` after risingfin the aspirator tube 5l forming and applying av spray to-a surface comprising mixingmeans hav-'1 f ing a deflecting surface forming and applying a" cleaning spray containing water, a cleaningvf agent and air to a surface to be cleaned, com-f' across -anidhaving1` a Vrestricted portion adjacentl to said'suctioin.aperture; and a nozzle for directing ajet of liquid into said passageway.

,4; A;devicev for' formingV a spray containing a mixture of a plurality of liquids and' air, comprising a mixing head having a substantially flat surface 'formed thereon and a suction aperture opening onto said surface; a cap mounted upon said mixing head in overlying relation'to's'aid surface, said cap having a portion thereof spaced ingihead to providez'aipass'ageway overlying'said.

suction aperture; anozzle Aarranged to direct a jet of fluid into said passageway; yand a valve foncontrolling the flow of fluid to said nozzle.

10.55A spray gun comprising a grip member; a

, coverimember .connected with said, grip memfrom the adjacent surface' of said mixing head,

said spaced portion being of the general shape of l a Venturi passageway; anda nozzle for directinga stream of liquid into 3 onto said fiat` surface.

said passageway and z5.' A device forforming and applying liquids to a surface in the form of a liquid spray containing air, comprising a mixing head having a mix- Qing surface land a suction aperture opening onto `1 said mixing surface; a ,cap mounted'upon said mixing surface, said cap` having a Venturi passageway voverlying said suction aperture; and a' -3 nozzle for directing a jet of liquid into said passageway at an angle onto said mixing surface.

.6. AA spray device comprising a receptace for a liquid to be sprayed; a cover member Lfor said receptacle; mixing and spray forming means ,carried by `said ,cover member, said mixing and spray forming means including a surface having ajsuction aperture communicating with said receptacle` anda Venturi passageway overlying and iextending across said suction aperture in direct 3 communication therewith; and a nozzle for directing a Yjet of liquid into said passageway so that it -impinges upon said surface at apoint adi jacent said'suction aperture.`

7. A spray device'comprising a receptacle for la liquid to be sprayed; a cover member for said receptacle; a mixing head carried Iby said cover member; a capmounted upon said vmixing head, said mixing head having l a suction aperture iformed therein and said cap member having por- ,tions thereof spaced from the adjacent surface of said mixing head and shaped to provide a Venturi passageway overlying said Vsuction. aperture; anda nozzle for angularly directinga jet of uid into said passageway.

i 8.A spray gun comprising a grip member; a*

cover memberconnected wtih said grip member;

a-receptacle adaptedfto'` contain an agent to bev sprayed, said receptacle being secured to said cover member; a mixing head mounted upon'said cover member,-said mixing head having a suction aperture and having a depending aspirating tube extending, into said receptacle; a cap carried .by said mixing head, said cap having portions thereofy spacedvfromthe adjacent surface of said mixing head to provide a passageway overlying said suction aperture; a nozzle mounted upon said cover member and positioned to direct aA jet of .liquid intosaid passageway; and valve sagewayand creating .suction invsaid passageway ber; areceptacle adapted to contain a material to ber sprayed, said receptacle being detachablyzsey- 'cured to said cover member; a mixing, heady mounted upon said cover'member, said mixing head having a suction aperture; an aspirating tube-below said suction aperture and extending into said receptacle; means below said"suction aperture providing a metering orifice; a cap overlying said mixing head;j said, cap having portions:

thereof spaced from the adjacent surface ofi-'said mixing head to provide a `Venturi passageway, y overlying said suctionaperture; a nozzle mount ed upon said cover member arranged to direct a jet of fluid into said Venturi passageway; and

valve means said nozzle; y .Y

.11. A spray gun comprising a hollow handle for controlling the iiowof iiuid to member having an opening'through which uid.,

mounted upon said cover member arranged to di rect ajetof-iluidfinto said passageway; a valve'V chamberY adjacent said nozzle adapted to be placed in communicationwith saidv hollow. handle member; a valve stem in said chamber. for controlling the flow of liquid from saidhollow handle to said nozzle; and means including a trigger formovingsaid valve stem to open position. f Y Y 12.r The method of vforming a spray containing water, air and vanother liquid which comprises angularly projecting a jet of water at a substantially high velocity against an apertured mixing and` distributing surface withina Venturi-pasto simultaneously drawair, linto the inlet end of said passageway and to -aspirate said other liquid into said passageway through the aperture in said mixing' and distributing surface.

13. The method of forming a spray containing: l

amixture of liquids and air which comprises angularly directing a jet' of water against a covmeans for'controlling the iiow of liquid to said nozzle.v

l 9. A spray forming apparatus comprising a handle member; a cover member connected with said handle member; a receptacle adapted to contain a liquid to be sprayed, said receptacle being detachably secured to said cover member; a mixing head mounted upon said cover member, said mixing head having a suction aperture; an aspirating tubey below said suction aperture and extending into said receptacle; a cap overlying said mixing head, said cap having portions thereof spaced fromtheadjacent surface of said mixered, apertured mixing and distributing surface so thatv said jet is caused-to entrain air and to `create suction in said aperture thereby aspirating another liquid into the jet of water andair'before it is discharged from said surface.

14. The method of forming a spray containing l `aplurality of liquids and air which comprises angularly directing a stream of one liquid at a deiiecting surface, aerating said stream while it is moving at a high. velocity with respect to said surface, and introducing a second liquid into the moving stream of the first mentioned liquid before it has traveled across said surface.

i GILBERT or. BUDWIG. 

